Giants search first 2-0 begin since 2016; Panthers want win

CAROLINA (0-1) at NEW YORK GIANTS (1-0)

Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT, FOX

OPENING LINE: Giants by 1 1/2, in keeping with FanDuel SportsBook.

AGAINST THE SPREAD: Carolina 0-1, New York 1-0.

SERIES RECORD: Panthers lead 7-5.

LAST MEETING: Giants beat Panthers 25-3 on Oct. 24, 2021, at residence.

LAST WEEK: Panthers misplaced to Browns 26-24; Giants beat Titans 21-20.

PANTHERS OFFENSE: OVERALL (28), RUSH (21), PASS (20), SCORING (t-9).

PANTHERS DEFENSE: OVERALL (t-16), RUSH (31), PASS (2), SCORING (t-25).

GIANTS OFFENSE: OVERALL (9), RUSH (1), PASS (29), SCORING (t-15).

GIANTS DEFENSE: OVERALL (18), RUSH (14), PASS (23), SCORING (t-12).

TURNOVER DIFFERENTIAL: Panthers minus-1. Giants minus-1.

PANTHERS PLAYER TO WATCH: RB Christian McCaffrey. McCaffrey solely obtained 14 touches within the loss to the Browns. He solely had 5 touches within the workforce’s first 27 performs, far under what was anticipated. Coach Matt Rhule is aware of the 2019 All-Pro must be extra concerned and that’s anticipated to occur this week. Look for a heavy dose of McCaffrey early within the recreation, notably within the operating recreation.

GIANTS PLAYER TO WATCH: Defensive finish Leonard Williams didn’t play within the preseason and completed with 5 tackles within the opener. He helped bottle up Titans RB Derrick Henry. Expect him to be within the face of each Mayfield and McCaffrey.

KEY MATCHUP: Saquon Barkley vs. Panthers’ run protection. Barkley had an enormous recreation in Week 1 dashing for a league-best 164 yards on 18 carries because the Giants got here up with a giant win towards the Tennessee Titans. Given the Panthers allowed Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt and the Browns to hurry for 217 yards and common 5.6 yards per carry within the season opener, New York will virtually actually look to use that weak spot.

KEY INJURIES: The Panthers will likely be with out returner Andre Roberts, who was positioned on injured reserve following a Week 1 knee harm. Shi Smith is the backup punt returner however he’s questionable with a groin harm. Either Chuba Hubbard or Smith will deal with kickoffs. Giants WR Wan’Dale Robinson (knee) and beginning CB Aaron Robinson (appendicitis) are out. WR Kadarius Toney (hamstring) is questionable and beginning OLs Azeez Ojulari (calf) and Kayvon Thibodeaux (knee) are uncertain.

SERIES NOTES: The Panthers gained the primary three video games within the sequence and three of the previous 4.

STATS AND STUFF: The Panthers have misplaced eight straight video games going again to final season, the longest energetic streak within the NFL. … Rhule is 10-24 as the top coach. … Panthers offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo was the Giants offensive coordinator from 2014-2015 earlier than serving as head coach from 2016-2017. … He was the newest coach to cause them to the playoffs (2016). … Mayfield had 4 fumbles on snap exchanges final week, though none of them resulted in turnovers. … Mayfield had 5 passes batted down on the line of scrimmage by the Browns. … WR Robbie Anderson had 5 catches for 102 yards vs. the Browns, together with a 75-yard landing within the fourth quarter. … Rookie LT Ickey Ekwonu allowed two sacks in Week 1, one among which resulted in a fumble. Giants QB Daniel Jones had his highest single-game completion price final week, ending 17 of 21 (81%) for 188 yards, two TDs and an interception. … WR Sterling Shepard caught a 65-yard TD move and led New York with 71 yards receiving. … Rookie LB Tomon Fox has the workforce’s solely sack. … S Xavier McKinney had all 5 of his interceptions at residence final season. … WRs Kenny Golladay and Kadarius Toney are searching for their first TDs as Giants after failing to succeed in the tip zone even as soon as final season.

FANTASY TIP: Barkley. This is the very best and the healthiest Barkley has been since his rookie season. He scored eight of the Giants’ 21 factors and his 164 yards dashing and 194 complete yards from scrimmage had been league highs. He’s additionally had success towards the Panthers. He had 129 yards from scrimmage — 81 receiving and 48 dashing — and caught two TDs in his solely profession recreation vs. Carolina on Oct. 7, 2018.

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